A COUPLE who have lived and worked in Cam and Dursley for more than 50 years celebrated 65 years of marriage.

John and Beryl Richards of St George’s Close, Cam, marked their Blue Sapphire wedding anniversary on Wednesday, November 18.

The couple, who say they have “always got on very well”, celebrated the occasion with their three children.

Mr Richards said: “You have to give and take in a marriage. There are ups and downs but we’ve always got on very well.”

Originally from the midlands, Mr Richards, 85, began work as an apprentice in the Linotype printing department of the Bailey group - which at that time was based in Kingshill Road - in 1944.

Meanwhile, Mrs Richards, 89, from Drybrook in the Forest of Dean, worked in bindery for Bloodworth and Pepworth, an independent printing firm which in 1946 was acquired by the Bailey family.

“I used to go down there and see how things were going and that’s how we first met,” said Mr Richards.

“We used to see each other quite a lot because of that and I think that’s what brought us together.”

The pair were wed in 1950, shortly after which, in a case of bad timing, Mr Richards was conscripted into national service until being demobbed in 1954.

Mr Richards then resumed his work for the Baileys while Mrs Richards moved into a career in social services which spanned more than 30 years.

They had two sons and a daughter: John Jr, Ian and Kay. John Jr followed in the footsteps of his parents by going into a career in the printing trade.

The couple moved to their home in St George’s Close just five years ago after previous living in Woodend Lane and love the sense of community in their new neighbourhood.

Mrs Richards said: “Our neighbours were very nice where we were before but we do think it’s absolutely wonderful here and everybody has been very nice.”

The pair enjoy caravanning together and used to show dogs as a hobby, even qualifying for Crufts on several occasions.

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